The Simpsons star offers to take pay cut

'The Simpsons' voice actor Harry Shearer has offered to take a 70 per cent pay cut in exchange for a percentage of profits made by the show.

One of the stars of 'The Simpsons' has had an offer to take a 70 per cent pay cut rejected.

Harry Shearer - who voices several major characters including Mr. Burns, his assistant Smithers, and Ned Flanders - made the offer to studio 20th Century Fox Television but said the proposal was hinged on he and his castmates receiving a cut of the revenue the show makes from international sales and merchandise.

However, the studio - who are expected to make a decision today (07.10.11) on whether to continue producing the show - declined the offer, despite originally asking the cast to take a 45 per cent cut.

Harry revealed in a statement: "To make it as easy as possible for Fox to keep new episodes of 'The Simpsons' coming, I'm willing to let them cut my salary not just 45 per cent but more than 70 per cent - down to half of what they said they would be willing to pay us. All I would ask in return is that I be allowed a small share of the eventual profits.

"There were, the Fox people said, simply no circumstances under which the network would consider allowing me or any of the actors to share in the show's success."

Harry acknowledged he is well-paid and doesn't expect sympathy and said he is still hopeful an agreement can be made that results in the continuation of the animated comedy series.

He added: "As a member of 'The Simpsons' cast for 23 years, I think it's fair to say that we've had a great run and no one should feel sorry for any of us.

"But given how much joy the show has given so many people over the years - and given how many billions of dollars in profits News Corp. has earned and will earn from it - I find it hard to believe that this is Fox's final word on the subject. At least I certainly hope it isn't, because the alternative is to cancel the show or fire me for having the gall to try to save the show by helping Fox with its new business model. Neither would be a fair result - either to those of us who have committed so many years to the show or to its loyal fans who make our effort worthwhile."